I haven't used one, but Chicken House Man stocks and sells them - he will give you unbiased advice on which is the best! <img src='http://poultrychat.com/oldforumIcons/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> I know that sounds contradictory, but it's true!

I use the one from Chicken house man. It's fab! We've got the timer module too, so it opens at 7.30am everyday and closes when it's going dusk. Best thing we've bought, apart from the electric fence. <img src='http://poultrychat.com/oldforumIcons/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

I have two VSBb auto pop hole openers from a well known company beggining with 'W' and I must say they are nothing short of wonderful.

I have one which allows the bods in to their coop and a further one which allows them in to the free range area a little later on and after they have began to lay.

They allow independence which does not compromise the welfare of our chuckles and are very well made indeed.

While you are at it, if your chucklers have any attention from foxes, buy the door to compliment it. The door is made of sheet aluminium, comes with two purpose made door runners and is very secure. The duck version is big enough for even the biggest LF chuckle and its only around Ã£20 and simple to fit. If you have banties, ex-bats or smaller birds then the chicken door will be more than adequate.

To further compliment it and if you have neighbours who may complain if chuckles are wandering around and talking/singing to each other then I also recommend the timer; its Ã£45 but you can set it when you want chuckles to wander around free ranging rather than just at dawn!

I promise I do not own any part of the company <img src='http://poultrychat.com/oldforumIcons/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> but I am very pleased with mine and more than happy to recommend them to a fellow keeper.

For my pop hole (flap style) coop door, I got the Model D20 chicken door motor. It came inside an already pre-made external mounting box. I painted it so it would be preserved from weather. But its pretty simple. I installed the box above the flap door with the string tied to a small hole on the bottom of the door. The motor is operated by a by a small timer for daily operation. I have the door set to open the door at 8 AM and I adjust the timer a few times a year to close about 30 minutes after sunset so I know all my chickens are in the coop. If I knew how to post pictures or video on here I would show you what it looks like. Here is a link to where I bought it but obviously you could make your own external mounting box and get this motor from just about anywhere. http://www.automaticchickencoopdoor.com/...wer-supply

an automatic door opener is a great thing - gone are the days of getting up at the crack of dawn and waiting for the girls to go to bed at night - very much worse in summer. I must confess that I keep the hen house door open now but they are in a super secure run.